Deciding Where to Go: CSU EB vs. SFSU

[David D.]

Hi Folks!

I have been accepted into both SFSU and CSU EB.

I need to decide which school to go.

Would you mind sharing your experience in your respective program?

Did you like your professors?

Were program administrators kind?

How difficult were the classes?

Were you well-prepared for the NCLEX?

How were clinicals, and which hospitals did you rotate through?

What should one look for when choosing rotations?

I dream of working at either UCSF, LPCH/Stanford, or Oakland Childrens. Which program would be a better choice given these preferences?

Did you complete an ICU residency right after school?

How difficult was it to get books? Were books expensive?

What should I keep in mind going through the decision/admission process?

Thank you very, very much for your time and effort!

I appreciate ANY and ALL information!

David

[momin96,98,99]

I recently graduated from CSUEB, and I personally thought the program was excellent. We had great instructors and were more than prepared for the NCLEX, although when it comes down to taking the NCLEX no matter how much you study you still do not feel prepared. As far as how difficult the program is, that depends on your study habits, support at home, outside responsibilities etc. I can say that for me this was the most challenging thing I have ever done, and I loved every (almost) of it. I learned so much and looking back can understand why the program is designed the way it is. Each program will have different choices for clinical rotations, ours were all over the Bay Area, it is not something you can individually choose as each nursing program (and there are many) must request specific floors, dates/times etc for the x number of students. My clinical rotations were at John Muir, Alta Bates, Kaiser, Children's Hospital, Sutter Delta, and there were others but I only recall the ones I went to. For our preceptorship we were able to request which hospital and department we wanted to precept in, I know a few that went to LPCH.

There was no problem getting books, they were not cheap, but some people were able to find great deals online. I am guessing I spent over $2500 on books, it was not all at once.

For choosing you will have to think about commute times to and from school and clinical rotations, if you live on the outer area it may be challenging to commute to SFSU. CSUEB offers the choice of going to the concord or hayward campus. Congratulations on you acceptance in to the nursing programs!!

[David D.]

@momin96,98,99

Thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it!

Did you have to drive to the hospitals where you rotated, or were you escorted to the hospitals on a bus with the entire nursing school?

How was it like getting a job after school?

Would anyone mind sharing their SFSU experience?

Thanks!

David